The most important factors in bol search results and rankings

To find relevant items, we first try to find out what the customer is actually looking for. This involves using various functionalities, such as deciding on the category of a search term, the automatic correction of spelling errors, the use of a list of synonyms to include similar terms in the search results, and neutralising the language used. The following are removed: conjugations, singular and pluralised forms, suffixes on diminutive words, and other similar modifications.

The search algorithm checks nog just the product information of items, but also looks at whether items are relevant in other ways. For example, a customer may use the term water bottle in their search, but then be shown items in the water bottles category, even if the term is not used explicitly in the product information.

Finally, anonymous interaction data are also used to assess whether the search results are relevant to a search. In such cases, we check for fraudulent interactions, to see if the come from click bots or click farms, for example.

Example 1

The customer searches for draadloos speakertje (wireless speakers). The customer then also sees results containing the term wireless speakers, as well as draadloos speakertje

Example 2

The customer searches for drinking bottle. The customer then also sees results containing the term drinking bottles or drink bottle. 

Testing, testing and testing again (a/b tests)

Work is constantly underway on developing smart solutions for making search results more relevant. For example, we are trying to increase our understanding of what customers are actually looking for, especially when the searches are general in nature. This includes better predicting trends, displaying more or fewer search results, and testing ways of ranking items.

What can you do to improve your findability

If you would like to know what customers generally look for, take a look at the search trends in the supplier portal. It is always a good idea to look here when optimising your product information and title. This because a search term that may seem logical to you may not be the term of combination of terms used by customers in their searches.

It is important to give careful consideraton about your item’s product information. Make sure it is clear and all-encompassing. Use search terms that you believe are relevant, but do not exaggerate. As stated previously, we make that spelling errors, synonums, conjugations and diminutives are automatically included in the search results. That means they do not have to be added as extras to the titel for example. Titles that are too long do not producte a notably greater number of visitors to your items. Quite the reverse in fact, customers may find them a nuisance or irrelevant. You should therefore look at the search trends in the supplier portal. Use the data on the basis of your own insights and your own expertise.

The following aspects will help ensure that your item features as high as possible in the search results:

• The item is placed in the correct product group
• The product information is complete and filled in correctly (product features, attributes and images)
• The item has correct product information (the product information matches the search)